Crossrail procurement policy reduces serious risk to London cyclists

It has been reported by The Times that Crossrail has refused entry to 31 of 253 vehicles bringing building materials to sites on the route of the £15 billion project.

Hauliers are rejected because their vehicles are not fitted with proximity sensors, alarms, extra mirrors or safety bars to guard against fatal collisions with cyclists and other road users.

The Times has launched a public campaign and 8-point manifesto calling for cities to be made fit for cyclists.

Good example of how public procurement can make a big difference

Peter Hendy, transport commissioner for London, said that Crossrailhad agreed to insist on these and other safety improvements. He added:

“When these vehicles enter the sites there has been a physical check to make sure that they have the proximity sensors and side guards, and miraculously they all got fitted. That is a really good example of how public procurement can really make a big difference.”

The measures have been written into contracts since 2010 but compliance has been timed to coincide with the start of the main construction phase.The costs of non-compliance and for retrofitting the equipment rests with the contractors. A Crossrail spokesperson told the Times:

“It would be a little unfair to name individual contractors, because a contractor who was non-compliant this week may be compliant next week”

Thirteen of the 16 cyclists killed in London last year were hit by a lorry, van or bus. Transport for London has commissioned a study into how to improve lorry safety and preliminary results are expected in May 2012.